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June 5, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Experts Searching for Ways to Fill the Vaccine Gap"

New York Times (www.nytimes.com) (06/04/02) P. D6; Berger, Leslie

The normal immunization schedules for eight of the 11 preventable childhood diseases have had to be amended because of shortages of U.S.-made vaccines.  The problems were caused by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals leaving the vaccine market and Aventis having to reformulate products to leave out the potentially harmful thimerosal preservative.  The General Accounting Office, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee are expected to make suggestions on how to avert future shortages.  Dr. Walter A. Orenstein of the National Immunization Program at the CDC predicts that improving stockpiles, creating a national body to oversee vaccine development, and furnishing financial incentives for drug companies to make vaccines will be among the recommendations.

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